Part 53
Mil- We bought few things for you in the passing... you should use them (stiff fake smile)
G - ummm... thankyou... you didn't need to.
Mil giving her look up and down.
Mil- oh no... It's much needed.
Geet bites her lips to stop herself from engaging and quietly accepted the bags.
She can just return them later or give it to Maan to deal with.
After the Mil finished the opening round of hidden taunts.
The father-in-law finally spoke up.
Fil- Beta... Why are you living like this? Living here alone in poor condition with no helper? Why aren't you living at Maan's house? Have you two had a fight?
G - ......
She looks around at the comfortable furnishings, the ample open space, balcony, fully equipped kitchen.
Where is the poor living condition? This is a luxury apartment!!
Why do you need a helper for in 1 bhk with only 1 person?
Geet decides to ignore what she couldn't understand and replies about her and Maan's living situation.
G - Well uncle. Publicly I am not married yet... so I can't live with him openly. Plus, this apartment is much more convenient for me to manage. It's closer to my agency office and half the time I am not here anyways.
Mil - That is main problem! Why haven't you two made things public? Why hide your marriage? It's not a shameful thing! If everyone knows then you can live together easily!
Fil - Haan haan... and then why work so much that requires you to be away so much.
Mil- Exactly. You have to think about your marriage first and then your family and then your career. If you go around galavanting how do you suppose the marriage to survive.
Geet was suddenly bombarded by both the in-laws giving her typical advice that belonged to an orthodox patriarchal society.
She tries to interject and reason but all her attempts were shot down by the combined strength of two parents.
She can understand that they meant well while saying all this, but she wasn't willing to be a stay-at-home housewife they were looking for.
In the end, Geet just listens quietly neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
The parents too realized after a while that whatever they were saying was not making any impact on her.
Mil tried talking in more reasonable non ordering tone.
Mil- Beta. We just want you two to be happy as we are. You only tell if you live apart like this. How will you guys grow closer?
Geet is dumbfounded by the sudden reasonable question.
G- We…We... it's not like... we... We don’t live apart... yeah... he would stay here often... when I am here... yeah!
She lies blatantly.
Mil looked around at the tiny apartment once more looking even more aggrieved and sad for the woman and her son.
Mil- But why live uncomfortably in this shabby little place? Why not make things public, hmm?
Fil- We understand that you cherish your career, and your marital status may affect it. But you know our prestige and power too. Once people know whose wife you are. The world is for your taking, dear. You can have any work/project you want!
Mil- Yes, why are you needlessly struggling so hard. Look! Look at these horrible comments posted about you just today. Why suffer all this?
Geet feels as if these two are devils whispering in her ear. Tempting her to easy life.
Now she knows where Maan got his persuasive skills from.
Mil - Acha ye sab chod bhi do. What about when you have kids?
Both the mother and Geet grow tense at the mention of kids.
Fil pats Mil's hand to calm her.
Fil- You will have to tell the truth to the world then, right? Why delay the inevitable?
Geet was mostly left speechless by all these very reasonable arguments.
She tries explaining to them what it means to be independent and using her own strength to become successful.
But they just chalked it up to unnecessary work and effort.
Their ideology is different, and they couldn't understand each other's point.
Finally, Geet tries to call a truce.
G - Okay uncle ... Aunty... I'll carefully think about what you have advised and discuss it with Maan. We will see when and how to publicize our relationship.
Parents - Yes Yes!! That’s how it should be!
The parents finally felt that they have won over the daughter in law and made her obedient towards them. She finally understands that she needs to pay respect to their authority and follow their advice.
Fil takes out some documents and puts it in front of Geet.
Fil – Beta, also put your sign on these papers. Since our son is not around, some urgent business decisions need to be taken and it can only be done with your signature in his absence.
Geet feels as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over her.
All this advice about being a couple ... a good wife... a good in law... all this...
She looks at the papers but not reaching out for them.
G – Uncle, I don't know what you are saying. How can my signature do anything? Plus, I thought Mr. A(assistant) was left in charge in Maan's absence. You should talk to him. He can easily help you implement whatever you want... he probably has the official seal too...
Immediately Mil snorts in anger and fil also looks angry.
Fil- Don't take that snake's name!! Without our son here, he thinks he is somebody big. Lording over us. Not listening to a single piece of advice from the family. Let me tell you. There is big project and there have been some unexpected developments. Since our son is not here, everyone wants to pitch in and help. But this assistant...huh!!! He is not ready to let us help at all!! He is not even listening to the good advice people are giving. Blindly acting on his own!! He just doesn't understand how much loss he is going to cost us all!
Fil raged and scolded the assistant.
Geet was starting to get the picture somewhat, but she refrained from saying anything.
Once the fil vented out his feelings, he again asks Geet to sign the papers.
G – Uncle, there must have been some misunderstanding…my signature still can't help you with anything…i don't have any authority or any shares in the company!
Seeing her conviction, the Fil also wondered for a moment whether his information was wrong.
He wanted to test the woman and covertly asks her few leading questions…but Mil was tired of the cramped apartment (totally her imagination) and the useless back and forth between these two.
Mil- Don't you have his power of attorney? Quickly sign and be done with it!
She speakes in an authoritative scolding voice.
Geet’s eyes widen and her eyebrows almost disappear into her hairline.
She stupidly stares at the mil for a few secs and then burst out laughing.
G - Aunty who told you this!!! Hahahhahahaha why would I have his power of attorney?? Hahahhaaa... no no... I don't even have a key to his house. Somebody has lied to you. I would really like to help but I can't!
The parents frowned at the news.
The key to their son’s home... even they didn't have. He wouldn't even invite them there...
And the power of attorney... the woman's reaction was so genuine. They had to believe it.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Bigg Boss 19
521